US woman has sailed solo to Bermuda in a bid to raise awareness for women suffering from cardiac disease.

Rhode Island native Moe McDonough-Roddy sailed from Newport aboard the yacht and arrived in St. George's on Friday.

Ms McDougnough-Roddy was participating in a charity race and said it was her first attempt at a solo crossing.

The nurse at Mirriam Hospital in Providence said she became an advocate for the disease when she discovered that thousands of women were affected by it each year.

"I was shocked," Ms McDonough-Roddy said, adding that more than 80 percent of cases were preventable by making proper lifestyle choices.

She spoke about heart disease at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and is due to return to the US.

Calling all young women ? the 5th annual Miss Teen Pageant is drawing near.

The August 14 pageant encourages those aged 13-17 to get involved.

Orientation begins on June 21 in the Bermuda Industrial Union Hall at 5.45 p.m.

Contestants must be either residents of Bermuda or have resided on the Island for at least six months. They will be required to pay a $25 registration fee.

The orientation has been arranged to inform eligible young ladies of the responsibilities, requirements and commitments involved in the pageant.

During the nine week pageant training process contestants will be given lessons in etiquette, poise, handling interviews, learning and reciting the Pageant Creed.

Contestants will be competing for titles of Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, Miss Talent as well as the highlighting title of Miss Teen Bermuda.

Anyone interested should contact Pageant Promoter Terry Smith at 337-5552.